Robert Irwin has won the Australian version of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS)-and fans are feeling nostalgic. The 21-year-old conservationist, who has followed in the footsteps of his late father, the “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, joined the reality competition in April of this year, and was an instant fan-favorite hit. Now, after weeks of competition, Irwin and his professional dance partner Witney Carson have clinched the Mirror Ball-10 years after his sister, Bindi Irwin, won the same competition. The Irwin siblings have been in the spotlight since they were children, thanks to their father’s status as a national treasure, with countless fans worldwide. And fans are now nostalgically recalling a much-younger Robert Irwin, as a video from 10 years ago has gone viral again. In April, after joining the DWTS cast, Irwin posted a video to his TikTok account @robertirwin, of him in the studio with his older sister while she was taking part in the show-where he was asked if he would ever take part himself. And the then-11-year-old had an instant answer: “Definitely! I would love to, that would be so much fun.” His sister then pointed out that Irwin “has some really cool moves”-which he then showed off, describing it as “the sprinkler” as he put a hand behind his head, one had in front of him, and moved from side to side like a sprinkler. The clip, which you can see here, then changed to Robert at a DWTS press conference, a giant snake draped around his shoulders, as he recalled the iconic interview with “little Robert” with a “bowl cut.” He remembered thinking: “One day, that’s going to be me. And now that dream is a reality, and I am over the moon.” The video has close to 200, 000 likes, as users flooded the comments with support, one writing fondly: “Robert has always been an old soul.” Another wrote: “You two are great supports of each other. Lovely to see,” while one said: “His dad is smiling so hard.” And, on the final day of the series on November 25, Irwin posted another video, which you can see here-this one with the 10-year-old video combined with his own time on DWTS, showing off his dance moves, with the caption: “Dreams can come true.” This video proved even more popular, with a whopping 1. 2 million likes, as one commenter wrote: “I’m crying, you did it,” and another called it “well deserved. He is the perfect Mirrorball champion,” another said, and as one put it: “I know his dad is so proud of him.”.
https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment/clip-robert-irwin-aged-11-viral-dancing-with-the-stars-win-11110858
Tag: conservationist
Vivek Menon becomes first Asian to lead IUCN Species Survival Commission
An Indian wildlife conservationist, environmental commentator, author, and photographer with a passion for elephants, Vivek Menon is a conservation leader whose lifelong dedication has created positive, global change for wildlife and natural habitats.
“My goal is to strengthen the SSC into a more resilient, inclusive, and globally impactful network that drives action and shapes policy. I believe in the power of this global network of over 11,000 experts, united by a shared passion for life on Earth, and as Chair, I will lead it with integrity, transparency, and dedication,” Vivek Menon said.
Through expert guidance to premier organisations, participation in landmark initiatives, and training of enforcement personnel across more than 50 countries, Menon has advanced solutions to critical challenges like illegal wildlife trade and species protection. His impact stretches from establishing reserves in Myanmar to helping shape international conservation policies through active roles in CITES, UNESCO, and national advisory boards.
Menon is widely known for his work in protecting elephants and tackling wildlife crime. With more than 30 years of experience, he has worked in over 100 countries and trained officials in over 50 nations. His efforts have helped shape major wildlife policies, and he has played a key role in setting up protected areas and conservation organisations both in India and beyond.
In India, Menon is the Founder and Executive Director of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). Under his leadership, WTI has carried out important projects such as elephant corridor protection, anti-poaching efforts, and wildlife rescue and recovery programmes.
Internationally, Menon has held numerous significant roles with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), including Chair of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group and membership on committees shaping global biodiversity goals.
In addition to his conservation work, Menon is a prolific author, having written ten wildlife books, including the widely acclaimed *Indian Mammals: A Field Guide*.
His contributions have been recognised with several prestigious international awards, such as the Clark R. Bavin Award, the Whitley Continuation Award, and the Freedom of the City of London in 2024.
Menon’s recent election as Chair of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) marks a major step for diversity in conservation leadership, providing a stronger voice to Asia and the Global South in global species protection efforts.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/indian-wildlife-conservationist-vivek-menon-creates-history-becomes-first-asian-to-lead-iucn-species-survival-commission-23598873